Nigerian forward Jordan Attah Kadiri completed his first season in Belgian football with a nomination for the player of the year award but the 21-year old reckons he would have been happier if his team had been promoted to the Belgian Jupiler (first division) instead.
Lommel failed to make the playoffs for promotion by whiskers, losing the spot to RFC Seraing who finished second place behind First Division B winners St. Union Gilloise.
Kadiri insists the whole team is disappointed to miss the promotion chance but are resolved to make amends next season.
He said: “We’re so disappointed but that’s football so we’ll keep on working hard and next season we are coming back stronger.”
Kadiri transferred to Lommel from Sweden’s Östersund and admitted it was a mixed start to life for him in Belgium as he was unable to achieve all his personal targets for the season.
“I thank God for everything and I believe it was a learning curve for me but it wasn’t all doom and gloom as I was nominated for the player of the season award in Belgium. That’s huge on a personal level for me and I feel very proud about it but I would rather we won something as a team,” he said in an exclusive interview.
“Already many things have changed about my game in the time I’ve been here, most importantly, my football mentality and sense of professionalism. For this, I have Lommel the club, my teammates, the coaching staff and the fans to thank for that.”
While discussions are still ongoing about his future, the player fondly called “Da Bull” because of the similarity of his style of play with that of former Super Eagles forward Daniel Amokachi, has resolved to work harder and make a better impact next season.
“I don’t know for now (about my future) but we still discussing. Nevertheless, my target for next season is to score more goals and helped the team to achieve more. I think many things football mentality.”
Outside the pitch and away from training, Kadiri has been coping with staying alone even though he admits it is not easy.
“It’s not my first time of staying alone since I came to Europe but I must confess it is not easy to be on your own and I sometimes feel homesick. However I’m a very strong boy so I have learnt to cope. Besides, it is what puts food on my table so I really don’t have a choice but to get used to it,” he said.
Now that the season is over, and before the start of pre-season, Kogi state-born Kadiri cannot wait to travel back to Nigeria for his mum’s cooking and, of course, to see his girlfriend.
“I’ve not planned anything special (for the holidays). I just want to spend it with my family in Nigeria. I’ve missed my mum’s cooking. I miss everything about my mom. She’s my hero. And I missed my favourite food which is any swallow with my mum’s delicious soup.”
